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Two Victoria-based companies have been tapped to supply key components for Hanwha’s Redback IFV.
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Mackay Consolidated Industries and Able Industries Engineering have been announced as the latest members of Team Redback — a Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA)-led cooperative bidding to deliver up to 450 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) as part of the Commonwealth government’s $18-27 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 contract.
The companies have been selected to manufacture components for the Redback infantry fighting vehicle’s composite rubber track system, if the proposed platform is selected to replace Australian Army’s M113 armoured personnel carriers.
The Redback’s composite rubber track, designed by the Soucy Group of Canada, is tipped to offer:
- 70 per cent less vibration than conventional metal tracks;
- up to 13.5 decibels of noise reduction;
- less weight;
- improved manoeuvrability;
- up to 80 per cent less maintenance; and
- increased efficiency — expected to support higher top speeds and fuel savings of up to 30 per cent.
According to HDA, approximately 50 per cent of Soucy’s composite rubber track system would be produced in Victoria.
This would enable the company to sub-license local manufacture of road wheels and mechanical track components, including idlers and sprocket carriers.
Dandenong-based Mackay Consolidated Industries and South Kingsville-based Able Industries Engineering were down-selected following a competitive tender process.
As part of the arrangement, each firm would be allocated a share of the production of the assemblies, with a sub-license offering additional opportunities for Victorian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hanwha’s global supply chain.
“Having two additional local Victorian companies join Team Redback is particularly satisfying,” Richard Cho, the managing director of Hanwha Defense Australia, said.
“Soucy’s composite rubber track is a highly innovative product that offers significant advantages, and we are enormously pleased to be working with local companies like Mackay and Able Industries Engineering to manufacture a significant proportion of the system in Australia.
“It is very much in keeping with Hanwha’s overall AIC strategy to deliver to our customer the best technologies from Australia and around the world.”
Graham Scull, managing director of Mackay Consolidated Industries, welcomed the opportunity to support the delivery of Australia’s next-generation IFVs if Team Redback is selected.
“Mackay is an experienced supplier in the defence sector with many longstanding customer relationships in Australia and abroad,” he said.
“But there is much to be said for starting a new relationship with an energetic entrant to the Australian market such as Hanwha.
“I am looking forward to Mackay working successfully with Hanwha for a long time to come.”
Stephen Martyn, managing director of Able Industries Engineering, added: “We are delighted to be joining Team Redback.
“It is a strong group of companies that comprise Team Redback and the technology involved is great — we are genuinely excited to be helping bring that to life and continue to build high-quality, defence-related components locally here in Victoria.”
HDA’s Redback IFV Is competing against Rheinmetall Defence Australia’s Lynx IFV.
Both vehicles have completed a two-year risk mitigation activity (RMA), with a final Commonwealth government decision due this year.
[Related: Hanwha, Safran join forces for LAND 8116]
